LIFE OF BEING A CROWN PRINCE IN FRANCE

In the top-floor special advisor’s office of the Lightning Company, Carolina was sumptuously compiling account summaries, accompanied by the sound of neighboring musicians performing.

During this period, he coordinated and was responsible for financial matters.

Styler handled company operations, sales, and external displays.

Mesmer posed as a noble, traveling everywhere to promote the gaslight project, persuading wealthy individuals to purchase bonds, and incidentally flirting with a few British girls.

Soon, Carolina’s ledger displayed the calculated results:

Total income from Lightning Company bonds: 860,000 British Pounds.

Total income from gas street lamp sales: 115,000 British Pounds.

Project funds received from London City Hall: 20,000 British Pounds.

Total expenditures: 12,000 British Pounds.

Net surplus: 983,000 British Pounds.

Even though Carolina had once served as the French Minister of Finance, he could not help but feel his heart racing at that figure.

983,000 British Pounds—that was more than 24 million French francs!

Had the French Treasury had such an amount back in the day, he likely would not have been dismissed.

He immediately began signing a series of money orders and purchase orders, distributing this substantial sum across banks in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Venice, eventually channeling it through various means to reach the Bank of France Reserve. The purchased supplies were then transported to Southern Netherlands and later disseminated throughout France via the Walloon Region.

Moreover, with plenty of time left before the end of the year, funds from various parts of Britain kept continuously flowing into the Lightning Company.

…

Austria.

North Suburb of Vienna.

A luxurious gray-black French-made “Gem Type 6” carriage, pulled by two Gallic horses, rapidly drove toward the city center.

Inside the extravagantly decorated carriage, Count Kaunitz frowned as he looked out of the window, his fingertips turning pale with the force he exerted on the armrest.

“His Majesty is far too lenient with those people!” he muttered angrily through gritted teeth, “I must convince His Majesty to issue a decree demanding the Hungarians pay a special tax.”

He had just returned from Silesia.

Due to financial constraints, he had to personally comfort the frontline soldiers, assuring them that their military pay would be replenished within a month and that urgently needed supplies would be allocated, barely managing to stabilize morale.

Marshal Lacy had reported to him that the number of Prussian soldiers on the opposing side had recently increased rapidly and they had evidently switched to new weaponry and equipment.

At this rate, the battle situation in Breslau would turn exceedingly unfavorable for Austria.

“We must request assistance from France as soon as possible…”

Count Kaunitz had only spoken half aloud when he suddenly remembered the recent scandal involving the Vienna Chamber of Commerce’s involvement in defrauding France with fake orders, which immediately caused him to angrily slap the armrest.

These damn swindlers, offending Austria’s greatest ally at such a crucial moment!

As he pondered how to resolve the current predicament, the carriage gradually slowed down, and a line of figures appeared beside the road ahead.

In them, Kaunitz spotted his son and grandson, and immediately his worries were forgotten, his face breaking into a smile.

After the crowd came forward to greet and pay their respects, his second son stepped into the carriage with a stern expression and sat down opposite him.

“Dominique, what has happened?” Count Kaunitz asked, looking at him while rapping on the carriage to signal the coachman to keep moving.

“Father, yesterday Count Bezbediko had an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”

Count Bezbediko is the Russian Foreign Minister, and his sudden visit to Vienna must be for something important.

Count Kaunitz felt a sense of foreboding, crossed his arms, and frowned, “Go on.”

Dominic von Konitz said solemnly, “He has come to mediate the Prussian-Austrian conflict.”

“Conditions?”

“Count Bezbediko mentioned that as long as we sign a ceasefire agreement with Prussia, the Tsar would acknowledge our claims over Wallachia.”

Kaunitz’s heart tightened. The condition was too enticing! Wallachia’s administrative system had always been in Austrian hands, and without the disruption of the Slavs there, Austria could quickly gain full control.

That was a territory not much smaller than Silesia. Although not as rich as Silesia, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

“Go to Schonbrunn Palace immediately!”

He shouted to the coachman, then said to his son, “No worries, the Prussians will certainly reclaim Legnica. As long as I focus on that, I can persuade His Majesty…”

“Father,” Dominique said, looking down, “the Russians say they will persuade Prussia to relinquish Legnica.”

“How is that possible?!” Count Kaunitz’s back slumped abruptly, his head shaking continuously.

Although Dominique didn’t want to upset his father further, he had to clarify such a major issue as soon as possible: “Count Bezbediko must be confident. He also mentioned that if the Silesian conflict continues, Russia will send 80,000 troops to mediate.”

Kaunitz’s back bent even more. He knew Russia could not currently spare that many troops, but their stance alone was enough to change the situation in Silesia.

Dominique continued, “The British Foreign Minister also had an audience with His Majesty, saying they would guarantee the ceasefire…”

Kaunitz was aware it would be tough to turn the situation around but still headed straight to Schonbrunn Palace.

After conversing deeply with Leopold II for over two hours, the emperor reluctantly agreed to give him one more month; if he still could not make progress in Silesia, he would accept the Russian proposal for a ceasefire.

When Kaunitz returned home, ready to mobilize all resources to gather sufficient funds, he saw his son hurrying over with a messenger.

The messenger, sent by Marshal Lacy, had only a few words in his message: the Hungarian legion, citing unpaid wages, had retreated to the Legnica front. Moreover, they were out of ammunition.

The next day.

When Kaunitz arrived at Schonbrunn Palace, ready to make one last effort, he encountered Baron Walter in the corridor.

The latter, in an exaggerated tone, loudly said, “Honorable Count Kaunitz, you once mentioned in a Cabinet meeting that if we couldn’t retake Silesia, you would resign.

“Of course, although the current situation is extremely unfavorable, with your wisdom and capability, you will surely make the Prussians flee in terror.”

“You impudent fellow…”

Before Kaunitz could finish his sentence, he saw Tugut and Kobutsel accompanied by over a dozen officials along the corridor sides, watching him with mocking looks.

He could already imagine how these people would sneer and jeer if he went to see His Majesty the Emperor.

His pride and self-esteem would not allow him to endure such humiliation.

He straightened his back forcefully, his gaze coldly sweeping over these people, then turned and walked away, his steps still steady and strong.

Two days later, Kaunitz officially resigned as the State Minister to Leopold II.

The emperor did not try hard to retain him, only praised him generously and granted him many rewards before promptly appointing Tugut as the new State Minister in charge of negotiating the ceasefire with Prussia.

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